Official press release from the Licking Rural Fire Department:
On June 3, 2023, at approximately 2036 hours the Licking City/Rural Fire Department was dispatched by Texas County 911 to 200 Staples Lane (Ozarks Shavings) for a report of a fire inside of the building. 2751 (engine) and 2753 (engine) responded, followed by 2761 (tanker) and 2762 (tanker) with a total of 8 personnel.
Upon arrival of 2751, Assistant Chief 2703 established Staples Command and advised smoke showing. A ladder truck was requested to respond by Houston City Fire. Houston City acknowledged the page and 2359 responded with a crew of 5 followed by Houston City Fire Chief 2301. Staples Command requested an Engine and Tanker from Raymondville Fire Department. 3150 and 3160 responded with 6 personnel. Staples Command also requested a Pumper/Tanker from Houston Rural Fire Department. A Pumper/Tanker responded with a crew of 1.
A fire attack was initiated from 2751, port-a-tank operations and water shuttle operations were initiated with the fill location being at the Licking Fire Station. Upon arrival of 2359, 2359 initiated ladder operations and initiated fire suppression into the hopper that was burning from the inside.
Staples Command requested a Texas County Memorial Hospital Ambulance to respond for rehab and standby. One firefighter was transported to Texas County Memorial Hospital for observation.
At approximately 2235 hours Staples Command advised that the fire was under control but would be remaining for overhaul and mop up.
It took approximately 45,000 gallons of water to place the fire under control upon completion of the overhaul and mop up. Staples Command was terminated on June 4, 2023, at approximately 0009 hours and all units were placed back in service.
Initial report:
Area departments were called Saturday night to Licking after a fire was reported at a commercial operation off West Highway 32.
The fire was at Ozark Shavings Co. LLC, which manufactures bedding products. Wood shavings are packed into plastic bags.
An initial report said that equipment had caught fire and spread to buildings on the north side of the operation at 200 Staples Lane, which is east of the South Central Correctional Center.